Imagining a Non-Running Life

The fatigue that’s been a constant fog in my days lifted, which I had hoped would happen. I could once again do things in the evening, like strength training and household chores, instead of spending the entire evening on the coach buried under cats.

What surprised me was how much more time I had, especially on the weekend. This was the first time I took the entire weekend off running since my post-marathon recovery in November. But I probably took the entire weekend off running only a few times (once, twice, maybe three times?) in all of last year. I don’t think I’ve ever realized how much running eats away at the weekend!

My typical Saturday is spent running in the morning until mid-morning (or longer depending on mileage), coming home to do some combination of strength, stretching, and foam rolling, showering, eating lunch, and then taking the dog on our usual long walk or hike that takes anywhere from one to a few hours depending on where we go. By then it’s usually late afternoon, I haven’t done anything productive, and I don’t feel like doing anything because of being on my feet and active most of the day. That leaves Sunday to get my run in and strength if I didn’t do it Saturday and then all the things I didn’t do Saturday–meal planning, grocery shopping, cooking for dinners and lunches during the week, washing clothes, cleaning the house–and another long dog walk. By the end of Sunday I’m usually so tired from the weekend that I’m ready for the next weekend before the work week even starts.

But this past weekend when I didn’t run….ah! It was simply amazing. On Saturday I woke up early and, instead of running, started my list of weekend tasks that I’d usually put off until Sunday. I got so much done by Noon! We took the dog out for about an hour and a half, and when I got back I wasn’t tired. Crazy! I actually made it through an entire movie (The Invitation on Netflix–very good!) without falling asleep on the couch, which happens about 99% of the time when I watch movies. (On some nights, I’m so tired that I fall asleep during the opening credits; movies just make me sleepy in general. This is the reason we haven’t gone to a theater to watch a movie in over 13 years! Seriously!)

When Sunday dawned and the entire day stretched out before me and I realized I already had so much weekend stuff done, I was elated. Time! I had so much of it! That’s such a rare feeling, and it was such an awesome feeling. After doing strength training, I ended up doing stuff I haven’t done in forever like organizing and cleaning baseboards. And I still had time! I got done all of my meal prep for the week, which was awesome because I usually never get it all done. It’s so much easier to stay on track with my eating when I have healthy dinners and lunches prepared for the week. I made a big batch of vegan mushroom gravy (from one of the Happy Herbivore cookbooks) to pour over steamed kale. A big bowl of steamed kale really fills me up, and eating it with a delicious gravy is one of my favorite comfort foods. Sometimes I add beans or cubed, dry-sauteed tofu to it for protein but this week I added Trader Joe’s meatless meatballs. I try not to eat much packaged or processed foods, so this was my guilty pleasure of the week, because they’re delicious! I roasted cauliflower and chickpeas to add to salads and made a tahini salad dressing. Love the combination of roasted cauliflower and tahini! I roasted Brussels sprouts for a side and made a smoky chipotle mayo for black bean and spinach wraps. And I made a batch of tofu salad for sandwiches. Tofu salad is my go-to for a protein-rich meal that I can make in about 30 seconds. I made it in advance because the flavors are better when it sits in the fridge. I’m not going to tell you what’s in it because you’ll probably think it’s super gross; Dave thinks it’s the most disgusting thing I eat and refuses to even try it. Okay, I’ll tell you: It’s just raw tofu mashed with nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and a bit of vegan mayo to hold it together. Mmmmmm. 🙂 I was going to bake cookies, but I’ve been doing so well with my eating I decided against it. Instead, I made a version of “instant cookie dough” from one of the Happy Herbivore cookbooks. I basically soaked some oats in vanilla soy milk then, once soft, mixed them with cocoa powder, a little peanut butter, and liquid stevia. Then I roll them into little balls for a small treat. Of course, they don’t taste like cookie dough, but it’s a small, sweet, and healthy treat that was good enough to satisfy me.

As you can see, I was pretty excited by all the things I could do during the weekend, all while not feeling tired. It made me wonder what my life would be like if I wasn’t a runner. It also made me realize all the things I was sacrificing in order to run. Over the past few years I’ve given a lot to running, but it hasn’t given me a whole lot back. My triumphs have been quietly earned on dark early-morning training runs, while my failures are public and permanent in race results. While I love running, it doesn’t seem to love me back.

But I keep giving it another chance. By the end of the weekend I was looking forward to running again. I missed my early mornings running in the quiet dark with the trail mostly to myself, I missed the filling of completeness from starting the day running, and I very much missed running with my friends. And yet, I loved the extra time I had and not feeling so tired all the time (though I know that’s just a phase I’m going through; I’m usually not so exhausted by running unless I’m deep into hard training.) I haven’t made any big decisions about my running future. I’m still planning on training for my second marathon this year, and I’m excited about that. But the vision of a non-running life refuses to leave; I’ve pushed it to the back of my mind, but it’s still there…

That week I stopped running and was able to do more than just crash on the couch all night with the cats…

Comments

One of the reasons I haven’t ran a marathon yet is the time spent training. Getting that balance between my job, my coaching, my running and spending time with loved ones is tricky enough when training for a half, let alone longer.

That’s why I love training for shorter races, you get the balance right and trying to get a faster 5k or 10k time is still a good challenge to keep you motivated. And just running without a race planned is great too.

I am planning to get up to marathon distance this year but without a race which will give me more flexibility and hopefully a way to keep the balance.

Your approach is very smart! I’ll be interested to hear how do with keeping the balance as you work up the marathon distance this year. I was originally going to do that for my first–just do the distance without a race. But I ended up doing a very small one mainly because I wouldn’t be able to carry all my water for that long.

Oh I completely get this! I feel the same way. Blogging also takes up more time than I originally anticipated too. When I don’t do either of these things I have so much more time. I recently gave up the gym and am finding myself happier already because I don’t have that time restraint on me. I know you do enjoy running so maybe just concentrate on training for shorter distances races? That way it allows time for the other things in your life!

I remember feeling the same way when I started my running break – the free time felt glorious! Running is an incredibly time consuming activity, especially training for distance races.

When I train for my marathon, one of the checks I’m putting in place to keep running from taking over my life is to make Sunday my rest day. Like, no fitness anything. Having a weekend day to sleep in and relax and be a normal person for a day is really important to me.Hanna @ minimal marathoner recently posted…Marathon Spending Log Update #3

Um, this comment was basically life saving. It never even occurred to me to make a weekend day a rest day! I could even do that with Hansons. This got me thinking, and I now have a good plan. Thanks!!!

I’ve often considered doing a Hanson’s plan because I really do have time to run both days on the weekend, but I just so love having my Saturdays completely off. I’ll occasionally exercise (a 5k, going for a walk, whatever), but a lot of weeks, Saturday is a true rest day, and I love it. I also love when it’s a BBD (big blank day) on the calendar for us — no plans, we can lounge in PJs, watch tv all day, whatever we want. And I love the occasional no-run-weekend, but I’d miss it (and my running friends) too much to give it up.Carina recently posted…Favorite Things

I’m in a similar place (for different reasons) and noticing how different my days look now that I’m not trying to fit in 20 miles a week. I don’t want to give up that part of my life, possibly because I like the identity of being a “runner” but what does that really mean? I’ll have to figure that out. I’m glad you liked your break and hope you can find a balance that works for you!Jessica recently posted…Meals in a box? Worth a try . . .

I always enjoy the time off from running…but eventually I miss it when I take too much time off. I’m so glad you had a relaxing weekend and if you want to keep taking time off, I hope you do without feeling guilty. We all need a break sometimes!Ali @ Hit the Ground Running recently posted…When I Need a Laugh

Sounds like a lovely, productive weekend. Sometimes, a break from the routine is just what the body and soul needs. Like a “staycation” of sorts. I’m sure you will find the right balance of running / life, even if it takes time, trial and error.
BTW, I love tofu, your salad sounds yummy!Shirley LeMay recently posted…Out of the Panhandle – Palo Duro Canyon

Pretty much everything you mention is why I’m Team 3 days of running each week. But more than that, it was sort of why I decided marathons AREN’T my jam. I would be too tired to do ANYTHING. I wouldn’t even walk the dog. I would do my long run, stop for fast food because I didn’t even want to cook, shower, and then nap the rest of the day, or at least just lie around on the couch. HM’s are much more doable for me from both a time and a tiredness standpoint.

But also, it’s really reiterating the point to me that I need to take a few months “off” each year. Doesn’t mean I can’t run, just means I should do it on my terms versus training for a race. It’s a lot easier to give up 10 or 20 weeks of getting things done when I know I’ll have time to catch up later.

I hope you can find a balance, or maybe one will naturally return as you fall into your new work stride a little more. For me, I find I don’t mind training so much when the weather is meh, but once the sunshine & warm temps hit it’s hard to force regimented training plans. I still run, but try to make it social and drag the Mr or some other friends along, or hike instead.

Yes, I am starting to understand more and more that I need running to align with, not conflict with, the rest of my life. You’ve obviously found a good approach that works for you. My goal is to find something that works for me!

You say that you’ve given a lot to running but running hasn’t given you much. (Hm, does running owe you anything?) But think about it…it’s given you a strong, fit body, confidence in what you can do both in running and life, and friendships.

From personal experience I know that long runs on Saturday take a lot of time and take a lot of you. I run at least 10 miles beginning at 6 am, then get the dog out for her exercise, then shower and crash for a few hours. But Sunday I allow myself to sleep in (which is about 7:30 for me), then the rest of the day is for fun and chores. I have no guilt about not running at all! Try taking Sunday off from running and do what you want to do instead. Anyway, that’s my advice. Hope you feel good again soon.

Thanks for the dose of reality–running HAS given me a lot in terms of health, sanity, happiness, and friendships. I need to remember that. And yes, thanks so much for the suggestion of taking Sundays off. That’s what I’m going to do!

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Running is no fun if you don't look cute doing it! In this blog I share my passion for running and activewear. I'm chronicling my ever-evolving journey as a runner. I also post activewear reviews, healthy plant-based recipes, and pictures of my greyhound and kitties. Read more about me. Thanks for visiting!